The Crossroads: Guiding Families Through Life's Transitions
At The Crossroads, we specialize in helping families navigate the complex journey of transitioning loved ones to new living arrangements. Whether it's downsizing to a smaller home, moving to a retirement community, or finding assisted living, our comprehensive services provide the support and expertise needed for a smooth transition.
Our personalized planning services address financial, emotional, and logistical challenges, ensuring peace of mind for both seniors and their families. With our guidance, you can feel confident that your decisions are creating a secure, comfortable future for your loved ones.
Process
45 minute complimentary consultation to assess:
- Current living situation and involved family
- Desired outcomes for the senior
- Desired outcomes for family members
- Perceived obstacles and challenges
- Roles to be filled during the transition
Anticipated timeline for the transition
Once we agree to work together, we begin the planning process with a 60-90 minute intake interview that covers topics such as:
- Transition readiness
- Social circle and family engagement
- Current living situation & desired living arrangement
- Financial health check-up
- Health directives check-up
- Estate planning check-up
At the end of our first planning meeting, we will develop a shared understanding of the goals and desired outcomes of the transition. Each person involved will leave with a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities.
With the Transition Plan in place, 30-minute planning meetings will be scheduled every other week. As we move through the planning process, we find that each family has its own unique timeline for success based on goals set during our initial meetings.
Why Hire a Transition Planner?
A transition plan is helpful because it includes roles and responsibilities with tasks and agreed upon timelines. There are times, however, when commitment towards progress can be uneven or seem slow. A Transition Planner is there to check in on a regular basis and hold each person accountable for completing actions.
Family histories and dynamics may be complicated, making it difficult to make or carry out decisions. Over time families become quite familiar with our blameless problem-solving approach. They find we are not there to take sides when things go sideways. This approach allows a family to continue moving forward as a team towards their mutually agreed upon outcomes.
At the same time, change can be challenging for some people more than others. It is normal to experience strong emotions during the process. Those emotions will be recognized and acknowledged by the Transition Planner, making it easier to practice patience with yourself and loved ones.
A Transition Planner also helps families address challenging logistics. When family members are not living near the senior or when professional recommendations are needed for other services, our transition planner is there to troubleshoot and keep the transition on track.
Different Perspectives - Shared Success
Joan's Story
- A Daughter's Journey: Joan and her two brothers have always admired their mother's independence. But now, as she visits her childhood home, she notices signs of change. The garden is overgrown, and the to-do list on the fridge grows longer. Joan worries about her mom living alone and taking care of such a large property. She talks with her brothers and they decide it's time for a change. Joan hopes to find a living arrangement that continues to offer her mom the independence she values, but with the support she needs.
Mary's Story (Joan’s mom)
- A Mother’s Concerns: Mary has always been fiercely independent. But as the years pass, she sees herself slowing down. Tasks that once seemed simple now require more effort, and the house feels emptier. Deep inside, she knows the house is too much to manage alone, and the isolation is becoming harder to bear. At the same time, she is very concerned that a move means losing her independence.
Kyle’s Story (Mary’s Transition Planner)
- Embracing Change: When I first met Joan and Mary over Zoom, it was clear they both cared deeply, but were carrying different worries. Mary feared losing her independence while Joan feared making the wrong decision for her mom. Through our intake interview, I realized the key was to design a plan that kept Mary in control while giving the family structure and clarity.
Over the next few months, we worked through each step together: selling the house, choosing a new home, and redefining what independence could look like. One year later, Mary leads the garden club in her new community and enjoys a simpler home that gives her more time for what she loves. For Joan and her brothers, the move became less about loss and more about peace of mind.
Typical Workflow for the Crossroads
STEP 1
Pre-Planning
Getting started, we need to determine stakeholders and begin gathering information on your “readiness” for transition, including the financial resources available to implement any transition plan. This foundational step sets the stage for a successful transition by identifying key supporting players and understanding your financial landscape. It ensures that everyone involved is on the same page and ready to move forward.
STEP 2
Review Financial Goals
What does success look like? In this step, we delve into the details of your goals, their costs, and timelines. By clearly defining what you want to achieve, we can create a roadmap that aligns with your vision. This step is crucial for setting realistic expectations and ensuring that goals are financially feasible.
STEP 3
Evaluate Your Personal Financial Circumstances
The intersection of your goals and your resources. At this stage, we assess the feasibility of your goals based on your current financial situation. This evaluation helps us identify any gaps or adjustments needed to make your plan achievable. It's about aligning your aspirations with your financial reality.
STEP 4
Flexibility
Sometimes obstacles will present themselves, from an unexpected inspection report to changes in financial or health circumstances. This step is about being adaptable and ready to adjust the plan as needed. We will work together to find solutions and keep moving forward, ensuring that the transition remains on track despite any challenges.
STEP 5
Take Action
Who does what by when. At this phase, we are meeting every other week, making progress, and dealing with the inevitable curveballs. Clear action steps and responsibilities are defined to ensure that everyone knows their role and deadlines. This structured approach helps maintain momentum and accountability.
STEP 6
Monitor & Manage the Financial Plan
Upon completion of the initial plan, there are two possible paths forward:
1. Project Completion: If the project is complete and you feel confident moving forward independently, we will provide a comprehensive summary of the plan and its implementation. You can always return for a checkup in a few years to ensure everything is still on track.
2. Ongoing Planning: If you prefer continuous support, we will hold regular check-ins and updates to track progress, make necessary adjustments, and address any new developments. This ongoing process ensures that the plan evolves with your needs and circumstances.
Pricing
- 30 to 45-minute complimentary consultation.
- Agreement for ongoing financial planning - $800-$1,500 a month depending on complexity.
- Note: We do not require that you use our services for investment management. If you already have a relationship with an investment manager, that’s great — but we will want to understand your investment strategy and how it fits into your transition plan.